Features

"When studying two HBL programs, all the children benefit from hearing one anothers' lessons," writes Anne M of Grand Rapids, MI. "My husband and I are thankful for the time Sonlight saves me. With the convenience of well-planned Instructor's Guides, I am able to look over the guide, pull the recommended resources together, and we're ready to go.

"After researching numerous curricula and reading lists, I've come to trust Sonlight's books as being some of the best for each recommended age group."

Here, Pieter (10) and Sarah (9) listen to Anne (mom) read aloud from Landmark History of the American People in HBL E. Matthew and Rachel (7, HBL B) listen in and experiment with pastels as part of a lesson from Artistic Pursuits.

When we were in school, my husband and I did what we had to in order to make the grade, mostly without much enthusiasm for the subject matter," writes Kelly B of Savannah, GA. "Our children, by contrast, are enthusiastically on a path to a life-long love of learning."

"Why? Because Sonlight's historical fiction and biographies coincide beautifully with the spine books and supplemental readings. History becomes 'real' and personal to my kids, and they are deeply affected by it. The books' characters become friends–or enemies. The kids mourn when we finish the final page."

In this photo: Laurel (11) reviews the Landmark History of the American People with Isaac (5), while Aaron (9) enjoys Shades of Gray, one of the Read-Alouds "that made history relevant as we studied the Civil War and its aftermath." The B family has been Sonlighting for seven years.

"After five years of homeschooling the Sonlight way, nothing could make up for the freedom we enjoy," writes Linda G of Siguatepeque, Honduras. "Yes, it is hard work, but we enjoy each other all day. We learn, laugh, and marvel together. We choose when, how and where we want to do school."

Here, Grace (11), Aline (9), and Aslan (7) take a break on a walk in their neighborhood. "I am happy with my children's growth over the last years," says Linda, "a result of God and Sonlight by my side."

WHAT ARE YOUR SONLIGHT STORIES?

Use #sonlightstories on social media to share your thoughts and photos. Or log
in to your account on sonlight.com to upload images and share testimonials.

Experience America's history from the 1850s on!

Year two of a two-year study, this course covers American History from the Civil War through the late 20th Century. If you are new to Sonlight but feel like you’ve covered the colonial period and the Revolutionary War enough for now, or if you’re a returning Sonlighter ready for the second half of this American History study, be excited – this is a fantastic program.

History comes to life – the Civil War, Westward Expansion, the Industrial Revolution, WWI, the Great Depression, WWII, and modern times. Throughout this 36-week program, you’ll watch characters grapple with the difficulties around them, and overcome in the end.

Complete the epic adventure you started in Sonlight D.

Relax as you enjoy fascinating books; just follow the daily lesson plans.

Get to know heroes like Abraham Lincoln, William Wilberforce, Eleanor Roosevelt and the Wright brothers!

Purchase this package of homeschool curriculum books and you'll get free shipping (lower 48), a one-year guarantee and other perks.

The central history book focuses on how Americans’ unique perspective – egalitarianism, desire for change, and a "can-do" spirit – contributed to inventions such as ready-to-wear clothing, department stores, and skyscrapers. Discover how time zones and "fast food" came into existence. Examine how mass immigration, women's suffrage, the labor movement, and the Great Depression impacted the social, political, and economic climate of the country. Discuss how racism has influenced life for individuals and the entire nation through the years.

With Sonlight E, you'll get an engaging study of the American spirit of creativity and entrepreneurship, through biographies, historical fiction, and great conversations.

Estimated daily time for Intro to American History, Year 2 of 2 plus your other subjects: Student: 3.5-5 hrs | Parent: 2-3 hrs

Overview of the History

History this year begins with William Wilberforce, the British reformer who ended the slave trade in England peaceably. What a contrast to the United States, where slavery continued until a bloody war divided the nation. And, of course, the residual effects of racism continue to the present.

After reading about slavery's end in Britain, Sonlight E studies the Civil War. As in D, the primary history books are Boorstin's Landmark History of the American People and the Smithsonian's Children's Encyclopedia of American History .

Some weeks after that students read The World Wars, filled with photos. It seems wrong to call a book on war "lovely," so use whatever sober synonym you can think of for this powerful, informative book.

The History ends on a high point, with two missionary biographies. God is at work in the world. Praise Him!

Overview of the Literature

The 15 Read-Alouds this year are a bit longer than those in D. And what a superb collection!

Across Five Aprils is absolutely unique in children's literature: It focuses on the western front of the Civil War. Did you even know that there was a western front? It's the story of one family's experiences during the five Aprils of the Civil War. One of the most powerful scenes occurs when two brothers decide, both according to conscience, which side they must fight for – and they pick opposite sides. I love that this introduces nuance into what sometimes is a very cut-and-dried narrative: South = bad, North = good. Real history, like real people, and real problems, is far more complex than that.

The Great Turkey Walk tells of how a young man walked 1000 turkeys from Missouri to Denver in 1860. This sounds wildly improbable, but is based on actual drives. (Proving once again that, yes, fact is stranger than fiction.)

There's a book about the common New England practice of making maple syrup, and the almost superhuman attempt to build an enormous Ferris Wheel at the Chicago World's Fair.

The Read-Alouds include topics like racism, shell-shock, the Great Depression, and immigration. Funny books (General Butterfingers made Sarita's grandsons laugh out loud), and poignant books (Little Britches has Sarita's husband's favorite last line in all of literature).

All of them are great books.

Readers

At this point in your children's literacy, some of the Readers are almost as long as the Read-Alouds. The Readers offer almost 20 more marvelous books for your children to enjoy this year.

The Readers include biographies of important people, like Harriet Tubman, Helen Keller, the Wright Brothers, and George Washington Carver.

The Readers include books that are a delight to read, like By the Great Horn Spoon, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, and Henry Reed, Inc.

And the Readers include several very different coming-of-age books, like Old Yeller, Because of Winn-Dixie, and The Seventeenth Swap. Nineteen fabulous books.

P.S. We would recommend trying to get to these Readers before your children do. We've heard reports of parents and children disputing over who will get to finish first. These books are that good!

Take a deep breath and explore both conflicts in one sobering, compelling book—from the soldiers' terrifying experiences in trench warfare to mighty and sinister innovations that shaped the course of history.

A fascinating introduction to American culture as it has shaped and been shaped by events from the Civil War to the late 20th century. Written by the former Librarian of Congress. NEW full-color edition, completed revised for readability. Now includes timelines, maps and more than twice the illustrations. Oversized.

Davis. Fourteen stories of how God has been at work in Colombia, South America. People escape a burning house, see dreams and visions, try to convert kidnappers. Dramatic and exciting. He is worthy of praise!

An historically accurate portrait of family life in the polders and among the windmills in Holland during the last years of Nazi occupation during WWII . . . and the months after, as families began to come back together.

One of those "Wow!" books: a collection of delightful poems for young people arranged according to the birth dates of the authors -- beginning with anonymous native Americans and continuing to the present day.

Ralph is barely 8 years old when his family moves to Colorado for the sake of Dad's health, and the family tries to make a go of it on the ranch. Classic true story of ranching in Colorado in the early 1900's.

When Nick is released from the hospital after suffering from polio, he's sure his father will never look at him in the same way again. Once the best pitcher in youth league, Nick now walks with a limp and is dependent on a heavy leg brace. He isn't sure he'll ever return to the mound. When Nick starts working for Mr. Churchill, owner of a semiprofessional team, he meets Satchel Paige, arguably the best pitcher in the world. Not allowed into the major leagues because of his skin color, Satchel teaches Nick that some things can be overcome with hard work and dedication, and that just because you're down, you're most certainly not out.

Eleven-year-old Walter can't believe his eyes when he sees the eviction notice from Ralph, the rotten nephew of his old friend, General Britt. It isn't so bad for Walter and his mother, who also lives there – she would have no trouble finding another housekeeping job to support them both. But what about the old soldiers, the last surviving members of the crack World War II rescue force called the Spitzers, who saved the general's life more than forty years before?

This warmly humorous novel shows two very different generations banding together to outwit a cunning adversary in order to see justice and honor prevail!

Mass. Three narrators: a cheerful girl who lives at an astronomy camp, a girl who wants only to be beautiful and popular, and a chubby boy who ignores school. They unexpectedly converge at an event for a solar eclipse. They each find their way. They become unexpected friends. They deal with real pain and loss, and think about how to move forward. Delightful.

Eland. Middle child Sunday Fowler is too young for her sisters and too old for her brothers. How can she stand out in such a large family? Her opportunity comes when the family moves to a small town so her father can renovate the town library, and she discovers a mysterious manuscript in the basement. Charming.

Two thousand Georgia textile workers were shipped North against their will to work in Yankee mills. Twelve-year old Hannalee was one of them. This is the true story of how she fulfilled her promise to return home.

Two children discover the remains of a lake long since dried up and forgotten, the ruins of once-elegant homes that stood along its shore . . . and two fascinating old people who remember the glory years. Charming.

DiCamillo. Newbery Honor. Because of Winn-Dixie, a big, ugly, happy dog, 10-year-old Opal learns 10 things about her long-gone mother from her preacher father. Because of Winn-Dixie, Opal makes new friends among the somewhat unusual residents of her new hometown, Naomi, Florida. Because of Winn-Dixie, Opal begins to find her place in the world.

A groundbreaking guide to American history, this reference book explains events, moments, trends, patterns and people in concise articles designed to appeal to children ages 8 and up. Features more than 750 photos and artworks, plus extensive maps, charts, a state-by-state review, the complete texts of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution, and much more.

Recommended Items

From Johannes Gutenberg's fifteenth-century printing press to Charles Hard Townes' relatively recent development of the laser, this fascinating coloring book encompasses five centuries of technology. Forty-five finely detailed drawings depict inventors and their historically important devices, comprising an inspiring survey of advances in science and industry.

This exciting collection of easy-to-color drawings takes you on a cross-country journey during which you’ll visit famous, man-made landmarks—from the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor to the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Hawaii.

Bring history to life with a hands-on lap book your children will love – a collection of crafts and creative projects that fold down into a kind of portfolio, and unfold to show their detailed magnificence.

The Instructor's Handbook contains an introduction to the philosophy behind Spelling You See and the five development stages of spelling. The Handbook also contains a "Getting Started" guide with an overview of the organization of the 36 lessons and information about the important skills and concepts that will be learned in this level as well as information about the three core activities. At the back of the Handbook there is more information about guided reading, chunking, copywork, dictation, answers to frequently asked questions, and a collection of helpful resources including passages for dictation.

The Student Pack includes two student workbooks and a pack of erasable colored pencils. Each of the 36 lessons is divided into five parts, A through E, and includes two facing pages. Each day the instructor reads the passage together with the student, as it is important for students to hear the words while looking at them. Students will also "chunk" the appropriate letter patterns indicated for that day's lesson and have opportunities for copywork and writing from dictation throughout the week.

Optional Language Arts Items

Optional. Wordly Wise 3000 Book 4 introduces students to 300 vocabulary words. Students learn the meaning and application of the words through literary pieces and fascinating historical tales. Each lesson includes a series of five exercises that require thinking yet are fun to do.

Features

"When studying two HBL programs, all the children benefit from hearing one anothers' lessons," writes Anne M of Grand Rapids, MI. "My husband and I are thankful for the time Sonlight saves me. With the convenience of well-planned Instructor's Guides, I am able to look over the guide, pull the recommended resources together, and we're ready to go.

"After researching numerous curricula and reading lists, I've come to trust Sonlight's books as being some of the best for each recommended age group."

Here, Pieter (10) and Sarah (9) listen to Anne (mom) read aloud from Landmark History of the American People in HBL E. Matthew and Rachel (7, HBL B) listen in and experiment with pastels as part of a lesson from Artistic Pursuits.

When we were in school, my husband and I did what we had to in order to make the grade, mostly without much enthusiasm for the subject matter," writes Kelly B of Savannah, GA. "Our children, by contrast, are enthusiastically on a path to a life-long love of learning."

"Why? Because Sonlight's historical fiction and biographies coincide beautifully with the spine books and supplemental readings. History becomes 'real' and personal to my kids, and they are deeply affected by it. The books' characters become friends–or enemies. The kids mourn when we finish the final page."

In this photo: Laurel (11) reviews the Landmark History of the American People with Isaac (5), while Aaron (9) enjoys Shades of Gray, one of the Read-Alouds "that made history relevant as we studied the Civil War and its aftermath." The B family has been Sonlighting for seven years.

"After five years of homeschooling the Sonlight way, nothing could make up for the freedom we enjoy," writes Linda G of Siguatepeque, Honduras. "Yes, it is hard work, but we enjoy each other all day. We learn, laugh, and marvel together. We choose when, how and where we want to do school."

Here, Grace (11), Aline (9), and Aslan (7) take a break on a walk in their neighborhood. "I am happy with my children's growth over the last years," says Linda, "a result of God and Sonlight by my side."

WHAT ARE YOUR SONLIGHT STORIES?

Use #sonlightstories on social media to share your thoughts and photos. Or log
in to your account on sonlight.com to upload images and share testimonials.